A new report has found that while nine out of ten Filipino children and youth are aware of child protection services, only a third turn to them when in need of help.
The report linked the gap to fear of shame or blame (78 percent), fear of being outed (65 percent), and distrust in adults or authorities (60 percent).
Joe-Anna Abelinde, country director of research partner Terre des Hommes (TDH), said they initially thought children didn’t know who to turn to in these cases, but realized the hurdle was something else.
The study underscores the country’s status as a known global epicenter of livestreamed child sexual abuse, citing earlier data estimating that 2 million Filipino children were victims of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) in 2021 alone.
The report paid special attention to LGBTQ+ children, who fear reporting because of the possibility of being outed for their sexual orientation or identity. In the survey, 65 percent of children say they hold back on reporting because of this factor, despite the fact that they are at significantly higher risk, with 65 percent reporting they had experienced some form of online sexual abuse, which is 19 percentage points higher than their heterosexual peers.
For those LGBTQ+ children who are not ready to out their identities, it’s easier not to report. Researchers warn that a vast majority of cases go unreported.
Poverty adds another layer to the crisis, as parents may have turned to livestreamed abuse as a desperate way to survive. Abelinde noted that some parents believed online abuse was less harmful because there was “no physical contact.” However, abuse is abuse, and the psychological harm is real and lasting.
The report called for a comprehensive, trauma-informed approach to child protection – one that recognizes diverse gender identities, offers affirming peer-based support, and ensures that no child fears seeking help.
A government’s effort to protect children is certainly appreciated, but unless the system is continually tweaked, based on feedback, to ensure children are actually protected, it is nothing more than lip service. If the metrics and critics indicate that the current system is not as effective as it should be, then necessary changes must be applied.
No child should be unaware of, or fear seeking help from those who have a sworn mandate to protect them from the many predators in this country who thrive because they are not reported. Overcoming that barrier will require more creative and comprehensive solutions.*
